In Memory of Phyllis “Jean” Calkins
Phyllis "Jean" Callaway Calkins, born February 15, 1929 in Dustin, NE to parents Margaret Bruns Callaway and Connie C. Callaway, passed away peacefully in her sleep June 20, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Jean is survived by her children: Carol Calkins of Dallas, TX, Ron Calkins of Little Rock, AR, Scott Calkins (Debbie) of Baton Rouge, Karen Calkins Link (Ken) of Benton, LA, and daughter-in-law, Cheryl Calkins of Baton Rouge. She is also survived by her sister Joan Jackson of Aurora, CO, brother Con Callaway (Bette) of Sun City, AZ, sister Jody Callaway of Wood, SD, sister-in-law, Sue Callaway of Ainsworth, NE and brother-in-law Donald Calkins of Lincoln, NE. She is also survived by her step siblings Scottie Caldwell (Lee) of Atlanta, GA, Steve Babbitt (Sally) Broken Bow, NE, Nancy Drent (Ernie) of Beatrice, NE, and Gary Babbitt (Sharon) Richland, WA. She was affectionately named Mingamaw and lovingly called Ming by her grands and great grands, and is also survived by her grands: Erin Falterman (Ryan), Jennifer Hines (Spencer), Paul Bordelon (Erin), Brian Bordelon, Kyle Calkins, Zoe Dell(Jake), Steven Calkins(Emily), Rob Link, Libby Valdez(Aaron) Maia Calkins, Liam Calkins and Aidan Calkins and her greats: Chase, Emileigh, Zane, Caroline, Elizabeth, Genevieve, Benjamin, Evelyn, and Mackenzie. She is also survived by many cousins, nephews, and nieces.
She is predeceased by her husband, Harold Calkins, son Bill Calkins, her parents, and her brothers Lowell and Jack.
Jean graduated from O'Neill High School in 1947 and in August of that year she married Harold. They spent 61 years together moving from O'Neill to Sioux Falls, SD to Sioux City, IA to Spencer, IA to Bossier City, LA to Baton Rouge, LA with Harold's career with Wonder Bread. During those years, they raised five children all of whom graduated from LSU. Jean loved her Tigers! She and Harold spent many of their retirement years in Gun Barrel City, TX.
Jean was famous for her ability to cook, especially her gumbo, angel food cake and peanut brittle! Ming was an incredible seamstress and was constantly sewing for herself, family, and friends. She loved her volunteer time at Magnolia Mound cooking in the outdoor kitchen. She cherished her involvement with the First Methodist Church of Mabank Sisters in Service, the book club and teaching a Sunday School Class there for many years. Acting was a passion of Jean's and she enjoyed many years of acting in regional and community theaters while living in the Midwest. While in Louisiana, she worked for Rubenstein's and later she managed the facilities at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, cooking a million meals with her cohort, Tammy. They could cook for six or six hundred! Reading was another passion of Jean's and she read voraciously and had a great library and often would be a lender of books. Jean was so proud of her Eagle Scouts…seven in the family! And many a Philmonter enjoyed Calkins hospitality in Gun Barrel City on their way home from the ranch. Most importantly, she was also known for sharing her lemon drops with any age child. She was also a very accomplished Scrabble player.
The LSU Foundation will work with Mrs. Calkins' family to establish the purpose of tribute funds contributed through this effort. Her family will also represent all donors for any needed revision to the purpose of the fund.
The LSU Foundation will share notices about memorial gifts with Mrs. Calkins' family. We do not share the gift amount unless a donor explicitly gives us permission to do so.